"Nura Nova", the last survivor of Iscomar

The ferry "Nura Nova" was the first and now is the last of Iscomar. The era when the ships "Mercedes del Mar", "Carmen del Mar", "Isabel del Mar", "Begoña del Mar", and "Pilar del Mar" were part of the Contenemar group subsidiary is now behind us, along with the roll-on ships "Benijofar", "Benirredra", "Don Pedro", and "Don Fernando", as well as the catamaran "Pitiusa Nova". An expansion that ended badly, with the ships seized and many crew members left on the street, thus putting an end to a journey of questionable management.

In his day, Pedro Jesús Muñoz López –author of the blog ferrymanía.com– sent us this photo of the ferry "Nura del Mar", which joined the ISCOMAR fleet in June 1998. We had the opportunity to see it a few years ago in the port of Alcudia. Those who have sailed on it tell us that it is a seafaring ship, which has adequately defended the Alcudia-Ciudadela route and is well-maintained, complying with regulations and the required dry-dockings at the Burriana shipyard. Today, as our readers know, Iscomar has announced the cessation of operations starting September 12.

Built at the Usuki shipyard (Japan), it entered service in 1977 under the name "Emsland" and the flag of the German company AG Ems & Schiffarts KG. In the summer of 1979, it served ISNASA in the Strait area. In 1986, it changed hands to the Norwegian company Scandi-Line and was renamed "Bohus". In the summer of 1989, it was chartered by the British company Weymouth Maritime Services and sailed under the name "St. Julen".

In November 1989, it was sold to the Swedish company Bornholms Express and renamed "Östersjön". It sailed in domestic traffic and in March 1992 it passed to Elba Ferries, being renamed "Elba Nova". In 1995, it was docked in La Spezia and in June 1998, it was purchased by ISCOMAR to serve the Alcudia-Ciudadela route. It is registered in the naval registry of Santa Cruz de Tenerife.

It is a ship of 3,134 gross tons, 940 net tons, and 583 deadweight tons, with a hull measuring 73.84 m in overall length, 13.62 m in beam, and a maximum draft of 3.20 m. It is powered by two Niigata engines, with a total power of 3,800 horsepower, driving two shafts and giving it a speed of 14 knots. It can carry 377 passengers, 86 cars, and 120 linear meters for trucks. IMO code 7701914.

Photo: Pedro Jesús Muñoz López